Lilypad floating villa by Chuck Chick Anderson - Photo courtesy of Lilypad.

Lilypad floating villa by Chuck Chick Anderson – All photos: courtesy of Lilypad.

Hotel design. Sydney designer Chuck Anderson has turned his eye to the water with Lilypad, a floating villa built for slow, romantic overnights and small gatherings alike. Part houseboat, part architectural statement, Lilypad pairs old-school craftsmanship with contemporary comforts, all while treading lightly on the harbour it calls home.

Lilypad floating villa by Chuck Chick Anderson - Photo courtesy of Lilypad.

The whole structure runs on solar power alone. “We have built a space that is for true relaxation and enjoyment of the natural beauty,” said Anderson. “The design and construction of Lilypad was a feat in engineering to ensure guests could experience luxury accommodation on an entirely stable surface, whilst drifting with the rhythmic sounds and movements of the ocean.”

Lilypad floating villa by Chuck Chick Anderson - Photo courtesy of Lilypad.

Anderson’s connection to the project runs deeper than a design brief. “Growing up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and spending much of my life around boats, I always had a vision to create something truly special that people can now enjoy as their own,” he added. The floating villa “is a design space and service that would eliminate the pitfalls of the traditional boating experience whilst amplifying the rest.” It’s that lived-in familiarity with the water, rather than any romanticised notion of it, that seems to have shaped Lilypad’s quiet confidence.

Lilypad floating villa by Chuck Chick Anderson - Photo courtesy of Lilypad.

Every booking comes with gourmet catering as standard, along with a private tender for guests keen to explore the surrounding coastline under their own steam. For those wanting to push the experience further, Lilypad offers seaplane transfers with Sydney Seaplanes, on-board massage treatments and private chef sessions — extras that turn a night away into something closer to a proper escape.

Lilypad floating villa by Chuck Chick Anderson - Photo courtesy of Lilypad.

Lilypad can host up to sixteen for a seated lunch, making it a fitting backdrop for a summer party, a milestone birthday or a private event with a bit more polish than the average function room. It has also recently opened its doors as a day spa venue for smaller groups of up to six.

Lilypad floating villa by Chuck Chick Anderson - Photo courtesy of Lilypad.

Able to host 16 for an intimate lunch, Lilypad is the ideal destination for a summer celebration, a family birthday, or a luxe private event, offering an experience that is unrivalled in Sydney and Australia. Lilypad can now also be booked as a day spa venue for up to 6 guests.

All images courtesy of Lilypad Boutique Hotel.